Personal training is important to patients with chronic disease problems! Personal trainers provide a bespoke, personal service that enable patients to reach their health and physical activity goals successfully. This may mean being able to walk with their grandchildren to the shops, or being able to recover from cancer treatment, or simply being able to unscrew the top of a jar without needing assistance!
The personal trainer's role
A personal trainer serves as your fitness coach and great motivator! Whether you're just starting an exercise program, or are an experienced exercise patient, a personal trainer can help you meet your health goals. Always check with your doctor first though before you increase your physical activity levels and ensure your health care professional advises you on the best exercise to suit your disease condition or health problems. Different diseases respond to different exercise programs.
Personal training usually includes:
A health and exercise evaluation.?This is a series of tests - overall fitness, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance - used to measure your fitness level. Your trainer should ask about your health conditions, medications and exercise experience. An assessment of your health and fitness to exercise may also be provided by your doctor to the personal trainer. The gym may also require you to complete some details of your health history for safety reasons.
A personalized exercise and health program.?There is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise and health. A personal trainer will create an exercise program for you based on your goals, interests, ability level and schedule. Your trainer will modify the program as goals are met.
Supervised exercise.?The Personal Trainer should teach you proper exercise techniques that minimize injury risk and maximize results. If you have a question or your posture or outcomes are not achieved, your trainer should be right there to help you. Also, he or she can encourage you to keep going when you feel like giving up! Something that my Personal Trainer, David Smyth (from Virgin Active Gym, Derby) is very good at doing! Level 3 exercise referral specialists and Level 4 Chronic Disease exercise trainers can help provide professional support if you are a patient with a long term disease.?
But we all need support and motivation to keep enjoying exercising!
As a Personal Trainer, and Chronic Disease Exercise Specialist, I enjoy training patients who otherwise would not be accessing exercise services. This often means working in areas where you have to be culturally sensitive and have little community equipment. But it?s still great fun! And whatever age, people soon realise the benefits of exercise and that Exercise Works!
Some people may want to meet with a trainer several times a week, while others may just want an occasional check-in to get feedback. It's up to you.
The benefits
Studies show that supervised training programs can help patients, whatever their health problems or conditions, achieve their health goals - no matter what those goals are.
A trainer can help you:
Get in shape.?Trainers will give you a workout program that will help you reach your ideal, healthy weight or fitness level. They'll also motivate you to stay on track and maintain your exercise plan.
Gain muscle strength and tone up.?Your trainer will show you what strength exercises to do to achieve your desired look and feel, and give you confidence in every day activities. For patients this may be having greater stamina to get out of a chair or climb the stairs.
Maintain your health and well being.?If you've already reached your goal, a personal trainer can help you achieve other goals of health and fitness, or work on other areas such as flexibility, balance, co-ordicnation skills and mobility.
Improve athletic performance.?If your goal is to improve your 5K time or do a triathalon, a personal trainer may help you accomplish it. If you want to feel like an Olympian within your abilities then there are a variety of opportunities out there to match the right personal trainer for your needs and disease condition.
Stay injury-free.?Your trainer will show you how to do strength training and cardio exercises the right way, and enjoy exercising safely! Always include a 10-15 minute warm up and cool down for each exercise session, and don't exercise if you feel unwell.
Finding a trainer
Trainers usually work in gyms or personal training studios. Some may even come to your home for training sessions.
Cost depends on how often you want personal training, your region and the trainers place of employment. Expect to pay between ?35 upwards for an hour-long session. Personal training services may be available for a reduced fee if you're a member of a gym. Some gyms may even include personal training in the cost of membership or as part of an exercise referral program.
It's important to check out the personal trainer's credentials before you commit, especially if you want a personal trainer to help you exercise safely and effectively if you have a long term health problem. Anyone can call themselves a personal trainer. There is no required education or certification. Still, you can?easily find out who is certified by a nationally recognized professional organization, such as:
Register of Exercise Professionals UK or the American College of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Also, ask for referrals and a list of references before choosing a personal trainer.
Personal training alternatives
One-on-one personal training is not for everyone. If enjoy exercising on your own and don't need the extra "push," you probably don't need a personal trainer. But, if you're on the fence about hiring a personal trainer, consider these alternatives:?
- Group personal training.?Some gyms may offer small group training sessions. You'd get the personal attention from a trainer at a fraction of the cost. These could be Zumba, Boxercise or wheel chair dancing classes!
- Partner training.?Share the personal training session with your spouse or friend. You'll save money and socialize, and have fun with a friend! Having an ?Exercise Buddy??is great if you have a long term disease or are recovering after surgery as it helps motivate and focus your mind on exercise.
- Fitness classes.?Classes like aerobics, indoor cycling and weightlifting are often included in the cost of a gym membership. Instructors will demonstrate proper technique and help you if you need it. They can be motivating too!
- Group walks,runs or bike rides.?Many communities have local walking, nordic walking, running or cycling organizations or teams that meet regularly for a run or a ride. This is perfect for people who enjoy company and the great outdoors when they exercise.
Other health professionals. Personal trainers can only help you achieve your fitness goals. If you need nutrition advice, see a registered dietician. If your back hurts or you have other aches and pains, see your doctor or physiotherapist.
Always use equipment safely and follow the instructions and ensure that you train safely when the environment or weather is not ideal.
Most of all enjoy feeling healthier and fitter, and acheiving the personal goals that mean the most to you!
Ann Gates BPharm(Hons) MRPharmS and Founder of Exercise Works!
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